Posted: 11/1/2009 7:22:56 AM EDT
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I have been reading and thinking about milk goats. It would be nice to have milk to go with my eggs free every morning. Does anyone own or have any experience with milk goats. Here are a few links I have been looking at.
http://www.greengablesmininubians.com/ http://www.dairygoatjournal.com/issues/83/83-4/Daniel_Peterson.html http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=10&f=17&t=619449 |
| Be prepared to milk it twice a day, every day, or it will stop producing. I've got Nigerian Dwarfs, my sister down the street has Nubians, but they are all a pain in the rear if you don't really enjoy farm animals. Dairy is a commitment, its not like chickens where you can just ask your neighbor to toss them a scoop of feed once or twice a day. |
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I have milked goats in the past. Are you willing to make the commitment to milk them or have them milked twice a day? If for what ever reason, you are not able to make that commitment, that is you answer.
There are some good points. They are manageable (some far easier than others), even by children. They can be trained (sometimes, and sometimes they will be trained but choose not to obey - and they will laugh at you). Oh, you don't believe it now, but you will. Most of them can be trained to behave (somewhat)  . An ax handle or a bat will help in training the bucks. You may need several, as they break (handles, not the buck heads. Those are just about solid bone, and are not damageable, not that it is possible to tell anyways)
They can be pastured in areas that will not support other animals, but keep in mind, the food they eat will affect their milk taste. There are some downsides also. They can be strong willed, and may not stay where you want them (the above pasture), but if you rid yourself of the troublesome ones, it will go easier for you. They are goats - stupid, hard headed, stupid, stinky, and stupid. Also stupid, annoying, stupid, tricky and smart. The stupidness is their normal condition. However, every once in a while they will come up with a genius way to cause you grief. It usually involves them being where they are not supposed to be, and eating things that they are not supposed to. Usually the things they eat do not belong to you. This is when they laugh at you, as you chase them, while you are being chased by the owner of the things (usually your wife). Any other questions? 
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